Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 305.

WILLIAM JOHNSON

     Every successful business enterprise adds to the development of the
community in which it is operated, and through his activities as a furniture
dealer William Johnson has stimulated Eugene's advancement along commercial
lines, while at the same time he has won the legitimate reward of earnest,
systematic effort. He was born in Chicago in 1870 and his parents, Swan and
Kjesiten Johnson, were natives of Sweden. They sailed for the United States in
1868, locating in Illinois, and in 1878 went to Nebraska. The father purchased
land on the reservation when the redskins were taken to Indian territory and
aided in bringing to light the agricultural resources of Nebraska, experiencing
all of the hardships of frontier life. The mother still resides in Nebraska and
has attained the advanced age of ninety-four years.

     William Johnson was but eight years old when the family left Illinois and
his education was acquired in Nebraska. He was engaged in merchandising in that
state for twenty-nine years and in 1907 migrated to Oregon. He located in
Portland and in the following spring moved to Eugene. He was the driver of a
wagon for about two years, delivering tea and coffee, and afterward tried other
means of earning a livelihood. Purchasing a stock of groceries, he opened a
store on Eighth street in Eugene and in partnership with Mr. Dorr acquired a
second-hand shop in this city. Later they expanded the scope of their
activities, establishing a branch in Creswell, Oregon, of which Mr. Johnson took
charge. They handled hardware, paint and farm. implements and were also plumbers
and funeral directors. Mr. Johnson continued the business in Creswell for about
five years, when it was sold, and he returned to Eugene. In 1912 the firm of
Dorr & Johnson began dealing in new and second-hand furniture, stoves, carpets,
etc., across the street from the present location, to which the business was
moved in 1918. They secured half of the building and in 1922 Mr. Johnson
purchased the interest of his partner. He organized the Johnson Furniture
Company, of which he has since been the head, and now utilizes practically the
entire building of two stories. It is eighty by one hundred and ten feet in
dimensions and there is a large mezzanine floor. Mr. Johnson carries the
Colonial wood range, the Alcazar gas range, and a complete line of household
furniture. He is an enterprising, farsighted business man, with a highly
specialized knowledge of this branch of merchandising, and has made his store a
notable center of service in the everyday life of the community. He gives to his
patrons good value for the amount, expended and a well merited reputation for
honorable, straightforward dealing has enabled him to win and retain a large
trade.

     In 1900 Mr. Johnson was married in Nebraska to Miss Elottie L. Smith, who
was born in Illinois but was reared in Nebraska. They became the parents of four
children and two are deceased. Their daughter, Cecile, was graduated from the
University of Oregon in 1924. She engaged in teaching for a year and is now the
wife of S. R. Summers, who is connected with the schools of Olympia, Washington.
The son, Edwin V. Johnson, is a student at the University of Oregon.

     Mr. Johnson is a member of the Eugene Chamber of Commerce and his fraternal
connections are with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. While
a resident of Creswell he served on the school board and was also a member of
the board of aldermen. He is a good citizen and his career proves that the
old-fashioned virtues of industry, perseverance and honesty still constitute the
key to prosperity.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2016 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.